Birthday celebration for Nora Breslin
A surprise birthday party for Nora Breslin last weekend brought her family and many friends together from all parts of Ireland and the world.
The proceedings of the event, held in the Ardenode Hotel, are described here by Nora's daughter Philomena, and the pictures are by Pat Foley.
My brother Martin Breslin travelled from San Francisco to do Master of Ceremonies which he did with style, class, love and sincere passion for a mother he loves with deep affection. Martin created a beautiful warm atmosphere, including everyone in the community and certainly made the whole event extra special with his sincerity and conviction.
We had members of the Kilcullen Choir who had practiced very hard, sang an amazing selection and mixture of songs and medleys, led and heralded by their leading soprano Phil O'Donnell -- who also gave Mammy a beautiful tribute in word and song. Christy Enright also sang a solo verse. It was an excellent fun-loving display of affection and warmth in song to Nora.
The Capers group was led by John Brady and he gave Mam a flying tribute in respect of her input to the community throughout the years, and Maggie Kelly sang a song from the Capers. Martha Kelly pounced on my brother Austin with a dramatic rendering of 'If I catch Alphonso the Torreador' and chased Austin around with a five-minute fun version. Rita Kelly and Frankie Morrow both sang solos.
Noel Clare presented Mammy with a Picture Frame of old newspaper write ups in respect of the time when she wrote away to Dublin to start up the Macra Na Tuaithe -- her motive was to keep her seven sons occupied and out of mischief and this became a culture base for recitation and drama competitions, and so much more, to so many members of the youth in Brannockstown and the surrounding area. Mam got Christy Sheridan and a Brannockstown NS teacher Ms Kelly along with herself to lead us young people into the world of debating, drama and so much much more. She taught all the Percy French Songs and Al Jolson songs, and so much more to the Capers group throughout the years.
Bernard Berney, representing the broader community (whom we are aware has touched Mammy's life with much kindness and care -- for instance quietly delivering medicines in the early hours of the morning in times of a minor illness) gave a lovely short speech in aknowledgement of the love felt and displayed between so many people and how one human being can make a difference and reach out to so many with her gifts and uniqueness.
Among her friends at the party were Brid Mackey and Betty Kelly (pictured). Mammy's friend Carmel spoke on behalf of the Prayer Group of Ann Murphy and Kay Wilson, to acknowledge Mam's contribution to their quiet group who meet every week to spend hours together to pray for the good people close to their lives.Mammy's art and beautiful paintings is another aspect of her creativity, which we kept quiet on the night. and her wonderful talent of having made our clothes when we were growing up with her patterns and sewing machine. She even made my Wedding Dress.
Victor Healy spoke on behalf of Mrs Betty Healy, who was a close confidant of my Mum in Brannockstown and was always around our home when Mam gave birth at home and throughout the ups and downs of her life. Her family from Yorkshire presented her with a DVD of her home and life in Yorkshire with spoken recorded tributes from her bridesmaids and friends and family who could not make the journey.
I represented the sentiments of family and, in the absence of Mam's husband Dan, paid a tribute to the father and husband of the home in my rendering of 'Danny Boy' and 'My Dearest Dear' -- a 1939 Ivor Novello love song from the 'Dancing Years'.
Daniel Breslin (our late brother Donal's son) represented the grandchildren and wrote and delivered a beautiful poem of affection and admiration for his Granny Nora.
Mammy's nephew John Breslin from the Donegal contingent spoke about our summer holidays in Dad's birthplace -- now their home in Donegal -- and how we tricked and played as cousins and are now still to this day very closely knit.
Another John Breslin travelled over from his work in Germany to be with Mam on this occasion, brother of Pat Breslin, actor from the Moate Club, and spoke on behalf of the Portlaoise Breslins
In the foyer was a vast display of photos of family and community telling a little of the story of Nora Breslin's life.
There was a contingent of 50 members of the community cosily participating in Mam's special night, and we thank them all for their kind contribution to her life.
We, her immediate siblings and spouses and grandchildren, presented Mam with a DVD with recordings of words of love and affection and aknowledgement to a unique woman who loved and nurtured the lives and talents of eleven children and continues to do so.
There was also representation from the Galway branch of the family where Mam's Dad, Tom O'Keefe came from and lived to be 100 years. Mam's cousin Tom Rafterry, proprietor of the Glenamaddy Hotel, told some funny stories about Mam and Dad in his tribute to her.
There were family members who travelled from Germany, England, San Francisco, Donegal, Galway, and Dublin. The party entertainment was provided by the conductor of the Nas Na Ri Singers, Clive Armstrong, who played a beautiful selection of medleys and songs on the piano throughout the night. The Breslin family took over when he left and sang and played their guitars and piano until breakfast was served the following morning morning.
Philomena Breslin
